hi all!
a friend of mine is writing a rpg world (D&D like), and ask me for prices.
he want a world map, "realistic style" (dont know if thats the name of this style, but its like this: http://magbhitu.deviantart.com/art/Belnkre-Continental-Map-151391127?q=boost%3Apopular+rpg+map&qo=80)

he is just "looking the market", so im just asking for prices. (the book he is writing is going for sale here in brazil, eventually).

tilt

08-30-2011, 12:52 PM

Well, if you have the programs mentioned I'm guessing it is an easier job than handpainting it. Can't give you a price though :)

rossik

08-30-2011, 05:54 PM

Well, if you have the programs mentioned I'm guessing it is an easier job than handpainting it. Can't give you a price though :)

sorry, i didnt understand. what programs?

Ascension

08-31-2011, 01:01 AM

The link mentions that the artist for that map used 3ds max, world machine, and photoshop. If you are proficient with the first 2 programs, the 3d ones, then you could do this fairly quick. If not, then it will take months to learn. As for pricing, estimate how much time you think it will take you, then double that time. Then multiply that time by how much you want to charge per hour to do it.

ravells

08-31-2011, 06:48 AM

I might be misreading the OP but I think it's asking how much one can expect to pay for such a map, rather than be paid for making it?

rossik

08-31-2011, 04:54 PM

I might be misreading the OP but I think it's asking how much one can expect to pay for such a map, rather than be paid for making it?

yes, you are correct, ravells!
sorry guys, if i didnt make myself clear, but i want to know how much one would charge for a map lke that (or in ravells words, "how much one can expect to pay fo such map")

jfrazierjr

08-31-2011, 08:26 PM

well.. it really depends on the map maker's skill and experience. If he want's something that looks EXACTLY like that but with different geography is going to require more experience than something in a similar "style". Likewise, someone with more skill and how is in demand can charge higher prices. Assuming you are asking what YOU should charge, thats up to how long it would take you to do the work and how much you feel your time is worth. Of course, some people who have little commission work might also charge cheaper to get their portfolio build up... So really, there IS no standard pay.

rossik

09-01-2011, 03:48 PM

Assuming you are asking what YOU should charge,.. .

no, not me. i cant do maps :)
just wanted to know how much others would charge

tilt

09-02-2011, 08:35 AM

there are unfortunately many factors as jfrazierjr says. The more popular the artist the higher a price he can charge, also depending on where one lives in the world the hourly rate might differ a lot. Then you have people who doesn't have much to do and thus might lower their usual prices, or people just starting out and willing to take any job for any price. Of course, quality has an effect here as well. So I guess putting the job out there might be the only real way to know :)

Jaxilon

09-02-2011, 11:08 AM

In my limited experience it seems almost better if you can give an idea of what your budget for the work is. Artists are, as far as I can tell, pretty terrible at getting paid what they are worth...as evidenced by how much more valuable they become once they are dead and someone else takes over pricing their work. However, if you had say 10 bucks to give for something that will determine what you are going to get in most cases. The experienced artists will not likely want to bother with a 10 dollar commission unless it's something that they feel strongly about or have idle time and cabin fever. Sometimes a person is just in a great mood and will do such things but chances are you will get someone who is up and coming.

If you did get an established artist to do it for 10 dollars you will likely get a 10 dollar map. In other words, if he or she usually gets 20 bucks an hour you should expect a 30 minute map.

On the other hand if say you had hundreds of dollars for the budget you might find out just how detailed your artist can get.

Once again, you have to remember it's art and art prices are all over the place. Are there exceptions? You bet. Post your budget and see how much response you get.

Personally, I can't help it, if you want me to do something I can barely stand I want more money for it. If it's something I'm totally into I will stay up all night for peanuts (I am trying to get over this though).

jfrazierjr

09-02-2011, 11:17 AM

Ok... so here is what I would tell your friend based solely on my observations. Map commissions can cost you anywhere from "gratis"(free) to several hundred dollars(300, 400, perhaps even more, perhaps even much more) depending on a variety of factors(don't consider this list exclusive!!!!!!!):

Required size
For print or web only(affects size)
Artist skill level and/or reputation
BW or Color
level of detail(this is kind of abstract... it incorporates many elements from other items such as size, print or web format, artist skill, color or not, placing cities/roads/text and amount of these elements, etc)
Delivery deadlines (rush jobs cost more, "whenever" jobs might get a discount)
Is this for a commercial product(typically if you are going to sell a map(meaning include in something you make money from) the artist gets more commission)
License (many times affected by "is commercial" Note that unless specifically stated in a contract, art is LISENSED to the buyee and the artist can provide any specific limitations to how the artwork may be used. The artist still "owns" the copyright and the art. Of course, you agree on that in the contract details as to if the copyright is transferred(not unless explicitly stated) to the buyee. If the copyright is NOT transferred to the buyee, then both parties agree on the terms of the license as to what each party is and is not allowed to do with the map. )

Again... this is just a quick list off the top of my head. Given that, if "I" could make a map like that one(which I can't) at that size(ie, print at roughly 8x10 book size) and with that detail level, I would likely charge $75-150(USD). To bad I can't do a map that well(yet)